Spiral Castle

The Spiral Castle is an example of the architecture of Cythera, Isle of Love. In Greek mythology this is the birthplace of Aphrodite, goddess of love; in the artist's alternate universe it is also the home of a civilization existing in alternate world. The spiral forms of stairs, castle and towers are characteristic of Cytheran design, as is the lateen-rigged sailing vessel in the distance. The gryphon seen at lower right is a legendary beast originating in ancient Thera, an Aegean island blown to pieces by a volcanic eruption in the seventh century BCE. The hexagonal columns of rock on which the gryphon stands are similar to geological formations at Devil’s Postpile, California, and at Giant’s Causeway in Ireland. .